Ald. Richard Pootmans agreed with Nenshi, telling the Calgary Herald last weekend, "if you are in a senior enough position that you influence the performance of the department and the budget, and therefore eligible for bonuses, then I would think that would make you ineligible for overtime."

According to the Calgary Herald, some of the 28 directors, who hold the third-highest ranking positions in Calgary's municipal system, put in overtime forms, although it is unknown how many claims were made.

Council voted down Ald. Colley-Urquhart's motion that called for a report on the payments.

“We have to motivate those people so that they’re not giving a second’s thought to whether or not we should handle this emergency," said city manager Owen Tobert in a heated exchange with Colley-Urquhart, adding that these individuals gave up a lot, including holidays, to help out, the Calgary Herald reports.